Prom Makeup

This time last year I was celebrating finishing University and getting ready for Graduation and Grad Ball. This year it was my sister’s turn. My baby sister (she’s 17, so I probably can’t really call her a baby) has just finished high school and last week it was her 6th year Prom. I’ve done my fair share of prom makeup through working on makeup counters but it was very different getting ready to do my own sister’s makeup.

Rachel’s dress was a gorgeous bright red, floor length dress which really complimented her pale completion and black hair. Rachel told me she wanted a red lip which I originally tried to talk her out. I think a red dress can be a little awkward makeup wise as it’s already a statement piece but in the end we opted for a slightly more subtle red lip with a light smokey eye, that way we would have a well balanced look.

Base

Primer - Clarins Instant Light Base 01

Foundations - Double Wear Shell and YSL Touche Eclat in B20

Concealer - Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Porcelain and Estee Lauder Ideal Light 01(now discontinued)

I used Clarins Instant Light Base as a primer to give the skin a glow and to balance out the slightly heavier foundation. Rachel is a massive fan of Estee Lauder Double Wear, which I mixed with YSL Touche Eclat foundation and buffed into the skin using the Real Techniques Buffing brush. I love mixing these foundations, I think the coverage to radiance ratio is spot on, especially for a night out. These foundations aren’t great for photos with the type of SPF they contain but for Rachel, her biggest concern was coverage. I used a liner brush (Mac 209) with Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer to cover any little blemishes then using the Real Techniques Setting Brush, I buffed Ideal light to cover any darkness under her.

Eyes

Eye Primer - Nars Primer

Shadows - Mac Patina, Copperplate & Naked 2 Booty Call, Pistol and Blackout

Mascara - Estee Lauder Sumptuous Infinite

First I primed the eyes using the Nars Eyeshadow primer then using a small paddle brush (Mac 239) I patted Booty Call in the inner corner of the eye and on the brow bone. Patina was then patted all over the lid then lightly blended using a Mac 217. Pistol from the Naked 2 palette was blended into the outer third of the eye then Copperplate was used for the crease. I then we lined the eyes using Blackout and blended out gently using a pencil brush so it wasn’t a harsh line. As we hadn’t had a trial run, it was all about building the colour until we were happy so I added the colour with the 217 then buffed out any harsh edges with a Mac 224 until we had the right colour intensity. Rachel naturally has the most amazing eyebrows so all we had to do was brush them into place (I hate her).

Sculpting and Blush

Blush - Nars Orgasm

Contour - Kevin Aucoin Sculpting Powder

Highlight - theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer

Powder - Double Wear in Shell

I blended the Sculpting Powder under the cheekbone, under the jaw then round the hairline then buffed away the harshness with a big fluffy brush. Nars Orgasm was applied to the apples of the cheeks then Double Wear Powder was lightly dusted over Rachel’s forehead and over her chin. Although it is a really matte powder, I still haven’t found anything that beat it for staying power. Then using the Contour Brush from the Real Techniques Core Collection, a tiny tiny bit of Mary-Lou Manizer was dusted over the cheekbones for an extra bit of glow.

Lips

Benetint and Benebalm

Benefit’s Benetint is perfect for the subtle red colour Rachel was after, so we layered on some Benetint for the staying power then used Benebalm for the lovely finish.

How gorgeous does little sister look! The fact that my little sister is heading off to uni in September doesn’t make me feel old at all…